Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will support P.E.I.N and D.C.Y.A in 2013 as outlined by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 [57169/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Government has given approval to the drafting of a Bill to establish the Child and Family Support Agency. Work on the preparation of the legislation is proceeding as a priority and the intention is that the Agency will be established in early 2013. In order to inform the content of the legislation the Government has decided that upon establishment the Child and Family Support Agency will have responsibility for a range of services. This includes the full range of child welfare and protection services currently operated by the HSE including family support and alternative care services, and a number of additional services, including the functions of both the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board.

The Government's consideration of these matters was informed by the content and recommendations of the Report of the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency which I published in July of this year. I share with the view of the Task Force that in order to achieve genuine improvements for children and families, the Agency must have a broader focus than child protection. It is my intention that the Agency will be as broadly based as possible and that it should include those services that might, in the first instance, help prevent problems arising for a family, that would identify problems and provide supports at an early stage, and, that would assist children and families in managing serious problems requiring specialised interventions beyond their own resources. I can assure both the Deputy and the Prevention and Early Intervention Network (PEIN) that the work of the new Agency will include a strong emphasis on prevention, early intervention, family support and therapeutic care interventions.

I am satisfied that very considerable progress has already been achieved in the reform of Ireland’s child protection and welfare services. I am confident that the establishment of the Agency will bring a dedicated focus to child protection, family support and other key children’s services for the first time in the history of the State and will in time contribute to the transformation of what are essential services for families and communities.